Double Gigot, long-range strike of Fernandez, saves Akinfeev and Maksimenko: how “Spartak” beat CSKA in derby

Chalov at the start and Shurrle on the edge

The matches between Spartak and CSKA are traditionally of great interest among the fans, but this time the hype around the meeting was increased, as the rivals came to the confrontation at a rather intriguing moment. This was especially true of red and white, the composition of which in the summer changed almost half.

It was traditionally curious to watch the game of the young CSKA, especially since the army team scored three victories in a row at the start of the season. And to predict how the derby will end this time, it was almost impossible.

Surprisingly, bookmakers, despite the fact that the game was played at the Otkrytie Arena, were given a slight preference by CSKA. Moreover, the last guest game with Spartak ended for the army team with a victory - 2-0.

This time, big questions arose about who would decide to act “first number”, but in fact it was unprofitable for both teams, since a positional attack was not their strong point. On the other hand, the hosts in their native stands were forced to behave more actively, plus such bright performers as Andre Schürrle, Guus Til and Jordan Larsson appeared in their composition.

All of them, as expected, were in the starting lineup in the derby. Oleg Kononov predictably did not begin to change the composition, which won an away victory over Akhmat. Shyurrle again settled on the edge, Zelimkhan Bakaev and Larsson - on the attack flanks, and Til - under the attacker.

As for CSKA, before the match everyone was wondering if Fedor Chalov would be in the squad, and as a result, the striker got a place at the start, despite a broken nose. Viktor Goncharenko, perhaps, would like to save the scorer, but today he simply does not have a replacement in the team.

But the line of defense unexpectedly underwent dramatic changes. Firstly, Viktor Vasin did not get into the application, and secondly, Zvonimir Charliya was left in reserve. As a result, the top three central defenders were Kirill Nababkin, Igor Diveev and Hordur Magnusson.

Dmitry Efremov is located on the left, and Ivan Oblyakov went to the support zone to Ilzat Akhmetov. The injured Ragnar Sigurdsson on the left edge of the attack was expectedly replaced by Konstantin Kuchaev. Thus, nine players with a Russian passport turned up immediately in CSKA.

Missed Chalov moments and inert Spartak

It seemed that the red-and-white would try to seize the initiative, but in fact the army team suddenly began to play the first number. Goncharenko’s wards not only owned the ball, but also immediately lost pressure when they lost, not allowing the hosts to launch their attacks. Sometimes they acted excessively tough, but it was justified.

As a result, Spartak spent a rather slurred first half and only closer to the break did it manage to make itself known. Schürrle remained on a starvation diet and practically did not get any balls, as did Thiel. Even more inconspicuous was Bakaev, who did not resemble himself at all. Zelimkhan was clearly uncomfortable on his left homeland, under the tutelage of Fernandez and Nababkin.

CSKA could open an account at the beginning of the meeting. Chalov missed two hundred percent moments. More precisely, twice red-white frankly saved Maksimenko. First, he rushed to the feet of the striker and did not allow him to poke the ball into the net under him, and then, by some miracle, he parried Fedor's shot from a few meters.

By the way, Chalov, although he was active, went into the struggle with some caution. But his partners did not spare either themselves or rivals. Spartacists answered the same. One Samuel Gigot made several tackles at once. After one of them, Goncharenko had to clean up the injured Efremov and let out Takuma Nishimura instead.

As for the dangerous moments of Spartak, there were also two of them. In the debut of the match, Till almost opened the score. Properly opening under the cast of Larsson, the Dutchman rally struck straight into the hands of Akinfeev. And just before the break Schurrle from the penalty line did not hit the far corner.

Smoke pause and three goals

However, the second half, Spartak began much more actively. Red and white, finally, managed to catch the ball and besiege other people's gates. From CSKA, on the contrary, it was as if they blew air, and the game completely ceased to work for the guests.

And the attacks of the owners looked more dangerous and in the end led to a goal. Moreover, the success of Kononov’s wards was brought not by a positional offensive, but by a counter-fall. Gigot in his half took the ball away from the opponent and began an attack with a pass on Bakaev. In turn, Zelimkhan dragged the ball to someone else's penalty area and made a transfer to Schurrle who appeared on the left flank. The German instantly made an excellent serve on the same Gigot, who sent the ball into the corner with his head.

After that, CSKA almost lost another pair of goals. For example, all the same Zhigot hit on goal from two meters, but Akinfeev miraculously helped out the team. And a couple of minutes later Igor in an incredible throw countered Bakayev’s shot into the lower near corner from outside the penalty area.

But as soon as the army team managed to recover a little, the score was even. The guests took advantage of the loss of Zobnin in the middle of the field and organized a quick attack on the gates of others. After a cross from the left flank, the defender knocked the ball out of the box right onto the oncoming Mario Fernandez, who shot right into the far corner. Maksimenko really did not see the ball because of the back of the partners. It is curious that this hit was the first for CSKA after the break.

If after the goal of Zhigot, the fires were lit by Spartak fans, then after the ball of Fernandez the army team distinguished themselves. Moreover, the smoke from their pyrotechnics turned out to be so corrosive that Sergey Karasev had to stop the game for several minutes.

Before she could resume, the red-and-white again stepped forward. The hosts finally managed to take the corner, and Gigot, after discounting a partner at close range, shot the gate and scored a double. It is noteworthy that he became the first in his career. It is doubly important that he came to such a match.

In an attempt to save the meeting, Goncharenko threw, perhaps, the only footballer who could help him ahead - Yak Biyola, but this did not bring any effect - there simply weren’t any moments to win back, despite seven minutes added by Karasev. Moreover, the judge compensated for even more time due to a knee injury in Gigot.

But “Spartak” could well have scored the third goal. So, Reziuan Mirzov, who replaced, on the left flank defeated two opponents at once, but did not hit the far corner. And then Schurrle, with a magnificent transfer, brought out one more one-on-one fresh partner of Lorenzo Melgarejo, however, the Paraguayan struck right into Akinfeev’s hands.

This did not overshadow the joy of Spartak fans, because their team won a fourth victory in a row in all tournaments and gained a good shape. Next, the red and white awaits a difficult confrontation with the “Braga”.